The Amazon series “Blade Runner 2099” has finally found its lead actress in Michelle Yeoh.
In 1982, director Ridley Scott adapted Philip K. Dick’s novel “Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?” and created “Blade Runner,” a groundbreaking film for the science fiction genre. While the film wasn’t as successful at the box office upon its release, it became a classic of the genre in the years that followed.
After “Dune” director Denis Villeneuve took on the challenging task of creating a sequel in 2017, fans are now anticipating “Blade Runner 2099” as the next installment in the franchise following “Blade Runner 2049.” However, this time we’re getting a series from Prime Video. As reported by Deadline, the lead actress has now been found: Michelle Yeoh.
Yeoh, who began her career as a martial arts star, has become well-known to Western audiences since “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon” by Ang Lee. In the past decade, the actress has appeared in several well-known sci-fi works, making her casting in “Blade Runner 2099” exciting for fans. Yeoh is known for her role as Philippa Georgiou in “Star Trek: Discovery,” “Everything Everywhere All at Once,” and “American Born Chinese.”
“Shōgun” director helms the first episodes Details about the new “Blade Runner” series are scarce. Neither the plot nor Yeoh’s role has been revealed. However, after delays due to the Hollywood strikes in 2023, the Amazon series is finally in production. “Blade Runner 2099” is created by Silka Luisa (“Shining Girls”), who will not only serve as showrunner but also produce the series alongside Ridley Scott.
Jonathan van Tulleken directs the first two episodes, having garnered acclaim earlier in the year for his work on the Disney+ series “Shōgun.” A release date for the series has not yet been announced.